Pages

It’s very rare that I would rush to put up a review of a
beauty product I love because I prefer to test it out for a couple of weeks (sometimes a month) so I can write a detailed
review. However, there comes a time when you come across a product that blows
you off your socks and that’s exactly
how I feel about the Kiko Mat Base Corrector Primer.O.M.G. If you have oily
skin that makes your foundation look pretty shiny during the course of the day
with an even shinier T-zone at the end of the day, then listen up. You would absolutely love this
primer. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves and let’s get to
the details of this lovely primer. I have heard so much about this primer but I just could not bring myself to order it
online and pay for delivery charges. I always prefer going to test products in-store if I can and buy it right there. I may be wrong but Kiko Cosmetics
stock two kinds of primers from this range; A Smoothing Corrector Primer (for dry skin and
normal skin I presume) and the Mat Base Corrector Primer (for combination and oily
skin). Of course I had to choose the latter because I knew it was suitable for
my skin tone. When I watched Jennifer’s review of this product on her YouTube
channel, I just knew I had to literally rush out to get it; that was the icing
on the cake for me. I trust her recommendations as a Makeup Artist and she has
also got my face beat so I know she knows what she is doing.

Kiko Cosmetics- Brief Overview

Kiko Cosmetics has been on the radar for a few years now
especially here in the UK. I was actually quite delighted when I found out they
had set up shops here in London and Leeds. I think they have two shops in
London; one smack in front of Oxford Circus Station and another in Westfield.
They are an Italian Makeup Brand based in Milan, Italy and they stock all things
beauty and skincare including their best selling eyeshadow sticks, bronzers, foundations, concealers and of
course, this primer.

Packaging

I really like the outer packaging that this primer comes in
as it is well made and reminds me of NARS packaging. Inside, you get a slim
long tube which contains 17 ml of product. Initially, I thought it was quite a
small amount but you only need a little of this product to go a long way. The
tube also has a pointy tip which I like because it means it controls how much product is dispensed. It also prevents any waste of the product and any cross
contamination which you may find with tubes that have larger openings.

Texture

When I first got it, I was keen to see how the texture felt. It was a little difficult to come out of the tube (at first) but I think that’s really good to help manage how much one uses. It came out
eventually and it looked like a thick cream/lotion which I was quite surprised
about. It’s not completely white; it’s more of a light creamy/beigey colour. However, it does not interfere with your
foundation’s colour and it goes on clear on the skin. On application to my skin, it was relatively easy to blend
but it set really fast. It felt ever so slightly tight on the skin and it
instantly mattified the area I applied it to (as you can see from the picture). Once it sets, you can feel its
presence on the area where you have applied it but it’s nothing uncomfortable.
If you have dry skin or dehydrated skin or you prefer a dewy foundation finish,
this primer is absolutely not for you. It also does a good job in blurring out my enlarged pores and make my foundation go on really flawlessly.

How I use it

The trick behind getting the best results from this
foundation is very dependent on how you apply it. As mentioned earlier, it
incredibly mattifies the area of the skin the skin where it has been applied so
you only need a small amount. I just dispense a tiny amount (almost just a
drop) and I apply it with downwards strokes on my T-zones, cheeks, and some
section near my nose where I have enlarged pores. I always wait for it to set
(it does this really fast anyway) before proceeding with concealer or
foundation depending on what I am using that day. If you apply it all over your
face or if you use too much, it would be incredibly difficult to blend in your
foundation or concealer. Moderation is the key here and you only need such a
tiny amount for the whole face.

Results

Ladies and Gents!! I cannot even stop raving about this primer even if I tried. The results are absolutely outstanding especially
for my skin type (combination/oily). When I use a good primer even my beloved Laura
Mercier Foundation Primer, I still get some shine on my face towards the close
of play or around 3pm. I have to use a
mattifying powder or blotting paper to take it away. With the Kiko Primer, my
foundation stayed the same way till I got home to take it off. It was intact;
no shiny T-zones and no fading of my foundation/concealer. I did not need to blot
with a powder at all (unless it's a terribly warm/hot day). It has seriously upped my foundation/face makeup game and I am absolutely
obsessed with it right now. The only other primer which I have heard provides
similar results to this is the Becca Ever Matte Primer which I really want to
try someday,

Cost

I think the cost even makes me love it more as it retails
for only £8.90. You cannot go wrong with that price at all. It’s such an
amazing value for the money you pay, in fact you get so much more for your buck.
If Kiko have any discounts, I would hop on the website or go in-store and pick
up a few more as back up. I have been recommending this primer to anyone I know
because it is truly incredibly. (OK, I will stop now!!)

Cons

1. It is not suitable for dry skin types or if you like a dewy foundation finish.

2. Incorrect use may
result in difficulty in blending your foundation

3. You can only buy online if you don’t live in London and
Leeds although I think they may have stores in other European Countries.

Overall Thoughts

I love this primer a lot and I am yet to try any other
primer that gives me similar results as this. It’s such a huge relief not to be
bothered about your shiny T-zone or foundation slipping off your face. Now that
it’s Spring/Summer and it’s getting sunnier, I am so pleased that many of my
beloved foundations can still be used and they won’t slip off. That’s it folks!! Have you tried the Kiko Mat Base Primer?

Ohhh I totally get you!! I think they have a similar primer from this range but it is better suited for people with drier skin (I think it's called a Comfort Primer or something in those lines)...Thanks for stopping by...xx

I NEED this in my life, I'm telling you! The oil my face produces on any normal day will probably be enough to fry eggs and finding anything that keeps them at bay long enough has been a challenge. Like you suggested, I'll find out if they deliver internationally.

Thanks alot Belinda!! My skin feels the same way especially when I am in Nigeria or during Summer over here. It's such a pain so I can imagine how a good mattifying primer can make such a difference. If they ship internationally, that would be amazing. Thanks for stopping over!!...xx

I was expecting the price to be so much more after reading what you had to say about it! I am so tempted as I need a good primer to really mattify my skin and hide my awfully large pores. Thank you for the amazing review xx

I was really delighted to see that it was very affordable and i know I will be back to buy more. I will particularly keep my eyes peeled for when they have offers. The last time they had 25% off their primers and I missed it. I was gutted but now, I will sign up to their newsletter so never again. Thanks for stopping by...xx

Yes, you so need this especially if you suffer from a shiny T-zone. I am keen to test it out more when summer comes to see if it will control my shine as much as it is now but I highly recommend it...xx

Unfortunately, didn't work for me. I tried different techniques of applying and different foundations to put it with, but it dries me awfully. My always shiny nose becomes one dry patch. I am glad it works for you, Kiko is a great brand.

Awwww that's a shame!! Do you have dry skin normally? I don't think it will work for dry skin. If you skin is oily, maybe you can use a very small amount and make sure it is lightly applied and wait a little before using it. Alternatively, you can mix it in with a hydrating primer. I tried that a few times and it worked well...xx

Need to try this! I don't usually wear makeup on a daily basis, so when I do, my skin seems to resent it and I get a terrible case of greaseball face after a few hours. This seems like what I've been looking for!

There seems to be mixed reviews about this since other people have found it to be mostly impossible to use (foundation applies in patches over it, or slides of the face, or the skin is left with white residue). Could this be a consequence of using too much product? I want to try it but don't want to be put off by it just because I didn't apply it properly.

I totally get you and I would recommend it depending on what kind of skin you have. I have read a few reviews where people trashed this primer but I think as you said it's down to how you use it and what kind of skin you have. I have combination oily skin and I only apply a really thin layer on my T-zones. I never apply this primer all over my face because it is almost impossible to blend it in. If you have dry skin, I think you may struggle to use this but it's worth a try and it's very affordable. I would suggest using a really thin layer and applying it only on where you get shine the most. Apply a good moisturiser first and if possible a hydrating primer such as Laura Mercier Foundation Primer. Let me know how you get on with it...xx

I love to read all your comments and I ensure I reply all of them as much as I can. Blogger does not notify you of my replies unless you tick the "notify me" box under the comment box. Alternatively,Tweet me at @fashstyleliv